Francis Preston (August 2, 1765 – May 26, 1835) was an American lawyer and politician from Abingdon, Virginia. He was the son of Col. William Preston of Virginia, served in both houses of the state legislature, and represented Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1793 to 1797.[1] Preston had a house built in Abingdon, now called the Martha Washington Inn. In 1795, while residing at Saltville, he constructed the Preston House.[2]

Francis Preston
Member of the Virginia Senate from Botetourt, Cabell, Giles, Grayson, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lee, Mason Monroe, Montgomery, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe Counties
In office
1816–1819
Preceded byHenley Chapman
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Washington County
In office
1812–1813
Alongside Reuben Bradley
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Montgomery County
In office
1788–1789
Alongside Daniel Trigg, Walter Crockett
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1793 – March 3, 1797
Preceded byRichard Bland Lee
Succeeded byAbram Trigg
Personal details
Born(1765-08-02)August 2, 1765
Greenfield, Virginia
DiedMay 26, 1835(1835-05-26) (aged 69)
Columbia, South Carolina
Resting placeSeven Mile Ford, Virginia
Political partyAnti-Administration until 1795
Other political
affiliations
Democratic-Republican after 1795
Alma materThe College of William and Mary
Military service
Branch/serviceVirginia state militia
RankColonel
Battles/warsWar of 1812

Preston was the father of Isaac Trimble Preston, William Campbell Preston, and John S. Preston and the uncle of William Ballard and William Preston. His daughter Sarah (Sally) Buchanan Preston (1802–1879) married her cousin Virginia Governor John B. Floyd.

Electoral history

edit
  • 1793; Preston was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives defeating Abram Trigg.
  • 1795; Preston was re-elected unopposed.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Single Card". The Filson Historical Society. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  2. ^ Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff (April 20, 1976). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Preston House". Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
edit
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 4th congressional district

1793–1797
Succeeded by